Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Dark-Eyed Junco

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, this was our first White Christmas in years. In fact this Christmas Eve snow was the more than the whole 1.8 inches we had during the 2011-2012 season.

One of my winter birds, the Dark-eyed Junco. On a snowy day I seem to have even more Junco's in my yard. The male above is slaty gray overall and lores only slightly darker.

From my Oregon vacation this past summer this shot above is of the Oregon Junco, you can see a difference between the Oregon Junco and my Dark-eyed Junco above. The Oregon Junco has a jet black hood and a brown back.

Back in my yard I have the male and female which is more brownish in color.

And to throw in even more confusion above is a Gray-headed Junco I saw during a trip to Bryce Canyon in Utah. Definitely a difference seen on the Gray-headed Junco is their Rufous back.

Other Junco's that can be seen are the Pink-sided Junco and there is a Yellow-eyed Junco. It is interesting there are so many versions of the Junco.

Juncos are frequent visitors at our feeders and if there is snow in the air . . . many more! I thought of you the other day when I read in the paper about an early January bird counting event on the western shores near Holland, Michigan. For professional birders and the novice too . . . hmmmm . . .

I'm finally back!! Happy Holidays!!! Between New Mexico and Colorado, I think I spotted every DE Junco possible. I don't know how they are all labeled one bird. When I EBIRD, I distinguish the varieties....Oregon, Slate-Colored, Pink-Sided. And within these 3 categories, there are variations! Maybe it's best that they stay one bird....for now:)

I did not know there were so many varieties of junco! Your pictures are amazing, especially the first one of the junco in the snow. The cold weather doesn't seem to faze him much. Poor thing, I just want to scoop him up and set him by my fireplace. :)

Hi Eileen, Season's greetings to you and your family I love the photos and posts about the different Juncos. I have been offline for several days and am back in Blogland now again. Have a great day. Jo

Hi, Eileen. I just found your blog through Nature Notes. I also live in MD and that white Christmas Eve was indeed a surprise! Didn't know that the snowfall total exceeded Winter 2012 though! Love your little juncos!We've had a nesting pair at our vacation home in PA and though they seem docile, they are quite feisty as parents!Leslie

About me

I am married and have one son in his 20's. I live in Maryland, USA. Retired since Dec 2014 My hobbies are hiking, birding, taking photos and anything nature related.
I love traveling and seeing new places. I blog just for fun & take photos just for fun. I do not sell my photos but if you see one you want to use one just let me know.

Translate

Search This Blog

WELCOME

Hello & welcome to Viewing Nature with Eileen

According to blogger rules I must share this info.

As a courtesy, we have added a notice on your blog to help meet these regulations. The notice lets visitors know about Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies on your blog, including Google Analytics and AdSense cookies.